CCHL to represent Canada at Jr. Club World Cup in Russia

CJHL Media UpdateRelease Date: Friday, June 1, 2018CJHL, through CCHL, to represent Canada at Jr. Club World Cup in RussiaCALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in conjunction with Hockey Canada and the Central Canada Hockey League, announced Friday that members of the CCHL will represent Canada at the 2018 Junior Club World Cup, August 18-26, in Socchi, Russia.

The Canadian contingent will be made up of players and staff members from within the 12 teams that comprise the CCHL.

“The CJHL is grateful for this invitation, and the acceptance of the challenge by the CCHL, to represent us internationally,” stated CJHL president Brent Ladds.

“It will be a tremendous opportunity for the players selected by the CCHL to attend,” added Ladds.

The team will be one of eight clubs that will be competing in this International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned event.

Rounding out the field of the other seven junior squads will be the national Jr. champions from Russia and Sweden; HC Jokerit from Finland; HC Davos of Switzerland; China’s Kunlun Red Star, Red Bull Hockey Juniors from Austria and HC Trinec of the Czech Republic.

With age-limit restrictions in place, the CJHL-CCHL roster will feature no more than five 1998-born players, another 14 between 1999 and 2001 birth years as well as three that were born in 2002.

This marks the first time in the eight-year history of the event that the CJHL will be taking part.

“We are excited with the opportunity to attend the Junior Club World Cup in Sochi in August and represent the CCHL, the CJHL and Hockey Canada,” offered CCHL commissioner Kevin Abrams, who also serves as CJHL chairman of the board.

“This presents an outstanding experience for our players, coaches and support team to share in an international tournament and all that it provides. While we are looking forward to a great event on the ice, the camaraderie and friendships that will be created will last a lifetime.”

The CJHL team roster, coaches, support staff and on-ice events prior to the event will be announced at a later date.

Players and team staff members are expected to convene in the Ottawa area in August before flying over to Russia for a pre-tournament camp in Moscow, Aug. 13-15, prior to travelling to Socchi for the JCWC.

“We are exceedingly grateful to the CJHL, for taking up this challenge on behalf of Hockey Canada, during the off-season,” said Hockey Canada president and chief operating officer Scott Smith.

“It will be a tremendous athletic and cultural opportunity for the players.”

The last Canadian side to compete in this event was the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League back in 2015.

Meanwhile the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League took part from 2012 through 2014, which included winning the title in 2013.